Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 4314, John Drewry, Va.

SERVICE
NUMBER
va
Drewry John Griffin Martha Former widow
R. 4314
CONTENTS
✓

Martha Griffin widow of John Drewry Jr
Act 3 Feb 1853 2 Section
Presented by Edwin Bradshaw of Berlin Va

State of Virginia } County of Southampton } ss
On this 7 th day of April
In the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty six personally appeared before me the subscriber a justice of the court for and said county Martha Griffin who is to me known as a resident of Southampton County in the State of Virginia aged Sixty four 64 years who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress approved February 3 rd 1853 — — — — — That she was married to John Drewry at Southampton County Virginia on the Fourth (4 th ) day of February in the year of eighteen hundred and Twenty five 1825, Who was a private Soldier in the Company, commanded by Captain Rogers — — — — — in the — — — Regiment commanded by Colonel Russell — — — in the Virginia State Line of the war of the Revolution that he volunteered at Southampton Virginia on or about the year AD 1779 and continued in actual service for the term of nearly 18 months and was honorably discharged at Little York in the later part of 1779 all of which will more fully appear by Record That her said husband John Drewry, Dred at Southampton County Virginia on the Thirteenth (13 th ) day of June, in the year of Eighteen hundred and Twenty seven 1827, That she afterwards married John Griffin on the 20 th Day of September AD 1829 who Dred on the 9 th day of March AD 1856 and that she is still a widow and has remained unmarried ever since the death of her last named husband John Griffin She further Declares that this is the first and only application she has ever made under any act of Congress She states that from bodily infirmity that she can not appear in court to make her Declaration
her Martha V Griffin (Seal) mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first

above written and I further certify that I have known Martha Griffin for a Number of years and that she is the Identical Person she Represents her self to be I also Cer- tify that I believe the applicant is unable from the Great distance and Bodily infirmity to appear in Court to make a declaration
James Griffin Justice of the Court
On the Day and year first interpersonally appeared Conna Hatfield — — and Chalotee Powel who is to me known as credible and disinterested witnesses and who is to me known as Residents of Southampton County in the State of Virginia and who being duly sworn according to law declare that the foregoing declaration was signed by Martha Griffin in our Presents and that we believe from the statement and appearance of the applicant that she is the Identical Person she Represents her self to be
Conna Hatfield
Chalotee Powel
Sworn to and subscribed Before me the Day and year first above written and I further certify that Conna Hatfield and Chalotee Powel is credible witnesses
James Griffin Justice of the Court

State of Virginia Southampton County to wit
I Littleton R Edwards Clerk of the county court for and in said county do hereby certify that Irvin Griffin Esqr before whom the foregoing declaration and affidavit of witnesses was made and executed is and was at the time of signing certificate of the same a Justice of the aforesaid county court duly commissioned and qualified that all his official acts as such is entitled to full faith and credit and that the signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and subscribed my name and affixed the seal of said county court this 8 th day of April 1856.
L R Edwards Clk
[Faint mirrored text from the reverse side of the page, likely bleed-through from the original document.]

Berlin Southampton
August 30 th /58 County V.
Sir
inclos pleas find Sum old papers that has been found in the family of John Druery deceased or amongst the old books and papers of John Druery which is now in the hands of Martha Griffin & who was formerly the wife of the said Druery she has come across these old papers and has shown them to some of her neighbours and she has been told that if she would send them to the pension office perhaps it would do some good in regard to her Pension claim which the Hon Edwin Bradshaw had rejected and laboured so hard to est- ablish Mrs Martha Griffin requests me to ask you if there is any chance of her pension if there is pleas address me or her agent Edwin Bradshaw if the Druery five lbs of continental money should not be of any value or is Martha Griffin wants you to return it as she has preserved it for the sake

of her first husband Denny it has been on the back of note, Ragsdale to Denny , which is covered with the new paper
Your most obedient Servant Jas Griffin
The Hon Commissioner of Pensions Washington City DC or For Martha Griffin

May 22, 1933
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
John Drewry-R.4314 BA-J/AWF awf
M. H. Drewrey 917 Gates Avenue Norfolk, Virginia
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to your letter in which you request information in regard to John, Mathias and Thomas Drewrey, soldiers of the War of the Revolution from Virginia.
Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims made to the United States for pension and bounty land based upon the military service of soldiers in that war.
A search of the records fails to show such claims on file on account of the services of a Thomas Drewrey of Virginia, or of any Mathias Drewrey; similar spellings of the surname have been searched.
The data given below were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, R. 4314, based upon the Revolutionary War service of John Drewry. This is the record of the only John Drewry (under any spelling of the surname) that is found on file in the Revolutionary War records of this office.
The date and place of his birth are not shown, not are the names of his parents stated.
John Drewry married February 3, 1826 in Southampton County, Virginia, Martha (Patsey) Mangum. He died June 13, 1827 in Southampton County, and his widow married, September 20, 1829 John Griffin, who died March 9, 1836.
The widow, Martha (Patsey) Griffin, applied for

pension on account of her services of her husband, John Drewry, April 7, 1856 then aged sixty-four years and living in Southampton County, Virginia.
It is alleged in the claim that John Drewry enlisted in Southampton, Virginia and served four tours of six weeks each as a private, under Captains Rogers and Elias Herring, Colonels Russel and Kello in the Virginia militia, and that he served about fifteen months as private in Captain James Johnson's company, was in the battles of Petersburg, Sandy Point and Yorktown.
The claim was not allowed as she did not furnish proof of service, as required by the pension law.
It is not stated that they had children.
Irvin Griffin in 1856 was a Justice of the Peace in Southampton County, Virginia, and James Griffin in 1856 was a resident of Southampton County, Virginia. There is no relationship shown to each other, nor none to the widow, Martha Griffin.
Very truly yours
A. D. HILLER Assistant to Administrator

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
4814.
P. O.
Martha Griffin
Service:
Mid Drenney John
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
REJECTED
Application filed: _____, 18
Too late for printed list of 1852-
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18
1927-para 17-His to Cong. P.H. Drenney - See letter in Richard Drenney R. 3085 - and 1933-May 22 - from H. M. H. Drenney - and

No 6554
Martha Griffin formerly widow of John Drewry va
Edwin Bradshaw Aug. 5 23 1856 - Same Jan 2/57
Same Sept 5/57
Same Nov 7/57 Mrs. Griffin Sept 10/58
4314
3 Feb 1853 - 2 Dec

State of Virginia. Southampton County to wit.
I Littleton R Edwards clerk of the County Court of Southampton County in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that the following is a true extract from a return made to my Office by Jonathan Sankford a Minister of the Gospel legally authorized to solemnize marriages. of marriages solemnized by him. to wit.
"John Drury & Patsy Mangum was m d the 3 rd of February 1826."
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of Office this 8 th day of April 1856.
L. R. Edwards Bk

This is to Certify, That it appears from a List in this Office of such Officers and Soldiers of the Virginia State Line as settled their Accounts and received Certificates for the balance of their full pay, according to An Act of Assembly, passed the November Session 1781, directing the Auditors of Public Accounts to settle and adjust the pay and accounts of the said Officers and Soldiers from the 1st January 1777 to 31st December 1781, (See Hening's Statutes at Large, Vol. 10, p. 462,) that a settlement was made on the 13 th day of June 1783 in the name of John Drenury — as Sol. Inf ————— and evidence of the indebtedness of the State to him for £19 11 11 11 ————— delivered to Capt. Ragsdale but as the original settlements or copies thereof are not to be found in this Office, the term of service embraced therein cannot be stated
Given under my hand, at the State Auditor's Office, Richmond, this
19 th day of July 1856
{ NO SEAL OF OFFICE. }
G. W. Chittenden Aud. P. A.

Adj. Genl. Office, Richmond, Oct. 6 th 1857
I certify that it does not appear from the Records of this Office that a warrant ever issued on account of the services of John Drewry , as a Soldier of Infantry in the Continental Line, in the war of the Revolution.
S. H. Parker,
Adj. Genl. Office.

Mrs Martha Griffin, Formerly Widow of John Dreary
Edwin Bradshaw Berlin Southampton Virginia

State of Virginia County of Southampton } 33 33 1/3
on this 28 th day of May in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty Seven personally appeared before me a justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid William Oney aged 94 years a Resident of Southampton County in the State of Virginia and who is a Revolutionary Pensioner of the United States at the Rate of $33.33 1/3 per annum and who being first duly sworn according to law declare that John Dreyry mentioned in a letter of Suspension having date January 27 1857 is the identical John Dreyry who served in Revolutionary War under Captain Elias Herring in 3 rd division under General Samuel Hell's as forvate in the Virginia Militia that he was drafted fore times and served six weeks at each term and that the said John Dreyry afterwards enlisted in the Virginia State line and served as he believes for the term of fifteen months or thereabouts that he Oney often heard him say that he enlisted for the purposes of obtaining better wages Land & Co he declares that he was in the battle at hog Island and hope hill Beeves with the said Dreyry and in the battle at Petersburg Sandy point and York town The later place was after he enlisted under Captain James Johnson in the Regiment or division Commanded by General or Major Boykin the dates of his entering service he is unable to give but believes that his enlistment was in Seventeen hundred eighty and his discharge was in the later part of Seven hundred eighty one and he served as forvate before that time and that he is a disinterested witness
William Oney
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first above written and I further certify that William Oney is a credible witness and that his statement is entitled to credit
Thugars Lane JP

State of Virginia } Southampton County } ss
on this 9 th day of July AD 1857
Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid Sarah Joyner aged 89 years and who is Revolutionary Pensioner at the Rate of $22.88 per annum and who being first duly sworn according to law declare that she was born within one half mile of John Drowny mentioned in the foregoing affidavit by one and was raised in the same neighbourhood with said Drowny that she recollects distinctly of the men coming as many as four times and caring him and all the rest away and of there being absent for full six weeks and hired him and the rest of the soldiers speak of Captain Herring & Colonel Ruelle as being their Officers and that she hired the said Drowny say the next time he went in service he did not expect to see us or return in ten years but she thinks that he returned home in about fifteen months and that she hired him say that he enlisted and had money and land due him and some two years afterward he received some twenty pounds and him and her father and the rest of the neighbours say that he Drowny had got his money for Enlisting in the Virginia State Service and that he was still entitled to a Negro and land or its value in gold but she don't believe he ever obtained it as he hired him speak of it for some twenty or thirty years afterwards she further swears that he above contains what she knows in regard to his service and nothing more and that she is a disinterested Witness
her Sarah Joyner mark (Seal)
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first above written and I further certify that Sarah Joyner is a credible witness and that her statement is entitled to credit
Irvin Griffin Ap

State of Virginia County of Southampton } 85
on this 12 day of December in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty six Personally appeared before me a justice of the peace within and for the County and State aforesaid James Griffin and John Lewis to me known as Residents of Southampton County in the State of Virginia and who being first duly Sworn according to law declare that Martha Griffin is the Denical widow of John Drewry Deceased who was a Revolutionary Soldier and that She married him in 1824 and after words John Griffin Deceased they further Swore that they knew the said Martha Griffin and her first husband John Drewry in there life time for a Great number of years they say from the Date of the Revolution that they have heard him Relate his Service in said war and Speake of his Receiving about $75.00 for said Service and they do wave that they do believe that the said John Drewry is the Idetical person who Received the £19. 11. 5 3 from the State of Virginia as is mentioned in a Certificate of Suspension from the Pension witnesses State that they were not older anuff to be in the war of the Revolution but they were about 15 years old at that time and live in the same Neighbourhood with the said John Drewry and they have no Doubt of his being the Same Person
James Griffin
John Lewis his mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first above written and I further certify that James Griffin and John Lewis are credible witnesses
Irvin Griffin J.P.

State of Virginia, County of Southampton, To wit:
I, Henry S. Howard, Deputy Clerk of the County Court of Southampton in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Irvin Griffin before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and executed is (and was at the time of signing the same) a Justice of the peace within and for the County of Southampton (and State aforesaid) duly commissioned and qualified according to Law, and that the signature purporting to be his is his genuine signature I verily believe, and that full faith and credit are due to his official acts as such.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed my Seal of Office this 20 th day of December 1836.
Henry S. Howard, D.C.
" " "
"

Aug 23/56
Edwin Bradshaw
53

Pension Office May 23 1836
1833) Sir
The application of Martha Griffin formerly widow of John Drenny of Va. has been examined and filed under the Act of Feby 3 1833 -
She must prove by those familiar with his services that her husband was the man who received the balance of £ 19,111- from the State of Virginia as which shown by a Certificate of the Auditor of that State,
Edwin Bradshaw Esq
Berlin Va.

Berlin Southampton County Virginia
August 19 th 1857
Sir
in Regard to the Claim of Mrs Martha Griffin No formerly Widow of John Drennery for a pension of the act of February 3 rd 1855 I have to say that I have presented the best Evidence that can be obtained in her case and if you object this Evidence I do not know of any other that can be obtained I have been at much trouble and some expense in obtaining this for this poor old widow who is unable to help her self
Your Most Obedient Servant
Honbl d George C Whiting Commissioner of City D c Edwin Bradshaw

Pension Office, Sept. 5, 1857.
Sir,
I have received and filed with the other papers the additional evidence transmitted by you in support of the claim of Martha Griffin for pension under act of February 3, 1853, as formerly the widow of John Drewry. According to the statement of this claimant her husband served under Col. Russell, who, our records show, commanded a continental regiment. The evidence offered in this case relates to a soldier of his name who served in the State line . If the widow's statement be correct, the soldier named in the Certificate of the Auditor of Virginia, and referred to by her witnesses who served, have been her husband. The soldier in the State line doubtless received land from the State of Virginia, and the papers he filed for that purpose, which should be of record.  now in the Land Office at Richmond.

might enable you to identify him satisfactorily as the former husband of the present Claimant. The testimony evidence as it now on file is too vague to warrant an allowance of the claim.
Edwin Bradshaw Esq Berlin Southampton Co. Virginia Sept 5 1887
Edwin Bradshaw Esq Berlin, Southampton, Virginia.

Pension Office, Nov. 7, 1857.
Sir,
I have received the additional evidence in the case of Martha Griffin, formerly the widow of John Henry Drewry, and examined it in connection with the papers previously filed -
The affidavits of William Oney and Sarah Dogner, would seem to show that claimant's former husband served in the Militia - Oney , The  other man of his name who served in the  State line  is now whose service is certified by the auditor of Virginia served in the State line - claimant's husband is not satisfactorily identified with that latter service. Oney, indeed, testifies that claimant's husband after his service in the militia, entered the State line , but upon examining Oney  The Declaration of Oney in his own case, I find that his service was exclusively confined to the militia; he must, therefore, upon this point, in his present affidavit, testify from hearsay - he had no opportunity of knowing the service of

Drury in the State line. Moreover, he now testifies that he knew Drury at the battle of Yorktown - In his own declaration, made in 1833 he does not claim to have been in that battle, although he was required to state specifically all the battles in which he was engaged, and did give gave a list of them.
Sarah Drury, in her present affidavit made in July 1837 then means she was 89 years old - and xxx consequently born in 1768 - This would make her nine years old when the news of Drury in the military which was  which commenced (according to the statement in Drury's affidavit, taken in connection with his declaration) in 1777 - But I find in her own declaration made in 1833 that she then stated her age to be 78 - This would make her but two or three years old when the events occurred of which she now testifies.
It was stated in my letter of the 5th September last that the the kind of the soldier who served in the State line under the name of "John Drury" probably received land from Virginia - He is noted, I now find in Smith's Report of the 25th November 1834, as being then entitled to land. Other means, must, therefore, be resorted to in order to

identify this Claimants' husband with the Confid Service - The proof now on file would not justify the office in admitting the claim -
Very truly
Edwin Bradshaw Esq Berlin, Southampton Co., Virginia.
Nov 7

Berlin Southampton Co Va October 23 rd 1857
Dear Sir
I transmit to you all the evidence that I can obtain from the land Office at Richmond Va and as I can not obtain any better evidence that already transmitted I hope you will consider her claim as the widow Martha Griffin is Old poor and needy and as there is considerable Excitement amongst her neighbours in regard to her claim being suspended one man has been supporting of her for the last 12 months with the Expectation of her getting something sometime
Hon George C Whiting Commissioner Pensions Washington City D C
Yours Most Truly Edwin Broadshaw

Edwin Bradshaw Jan'y 2 nd 1857

Pension Office, Jan y 2, 1856.
Sir,
I have examined the additional evidence transmitted by you in the case of Martha Griffin, formerly widow of John Drewry, an alleged revolutionary soldier.
The witnesses do not show their age, nor how that they were in a position to know of Drewry's service. Besides, we have evidence in this office of the service of two men of the name of "John Drewry" who served during the revolutionary  war in the State of Virginia — one in the Continental, and the other in the State line. The present claimant must prove specific service performed by her husband before her claim can be admitted.
Very resp y 8C
Edwin Bradshaw Esq r Berlin, Virginia

Fin. Dept. Office, Sept. 6 th 1858.
Sir:
I return herewith the papers which accompanied your letter of the 30 th ultimo & have to inform you that they do not affect the claim of Mrs. Martha Griffin, to a pension as the widow formerly of Geo. Dreyer. The Continental money & the receipts may have relation to his service but there is no evidence that such is the fact.
Jas. Griffin Esq. Berlin. Ja

UNION LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY INCORPORATED
OFFICERS
JOSEPH BUTTON PRESIDENT O. I. BRYAN VICE-PRESIDENT FLORENCE H. LAWLER TREASURER J. P. BALDWIN SECRETARY HOWARD M. BAGGETT ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
DIRECTORS
JOSEPH BUTTON O. I. BRYAN FLORENCE H. LAWLER NICHOLAS J. LAWLER FRED H. POWELL
HOME OFFICE: EIGHTH & MAIN
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA
DISTRICT OFFICE
NORFOLK, VA.
May 11 th 33
Director of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:
I have been informed by the Brigadier General James A. McKinley, that the records of Revolutionary soldiers are not complete in the U.S. War Dept. and he suggested that I write your Dept. for the information I desire.
I want to know if Mathias Hrewrey, Thomas Hrewrey or John Hrewrey were Revolutionary soldiers. Their names maybe spelled Hrewrey, Hrewrey or Hrewry. If they enlisted they would have enlisted from Princess Anne or Norfolk County, Virginia.
This and any other information would be greatly appreciated. I am,
Yours Truly M. H. Hrewrey 917 Gates Ave. Norfolk Virginia

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., _____, 19_____
In reply to your request of _____, received _____ for a statement of the military history of John Drewry , a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. AR. 4314.
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Infantry 4 years 6 weeks each Pvt. Boogers; Elias Herring. Saml Russell & Kello Va.   1780 15 mos " James Johnson " "  
Battles engaged in, Petersburg, April 1778, Sandy Point & Yorktown, Sept 1781.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Enl at Southampton, Va
Date of application for pension, Apr 7, 1856.
Residence at date of application, Southampton Co. Va
Age at date of application, 64 years.
Remarks: Soldier married Martha (Patsy) Mangum, Feb. 3, 1826 in Southampton Co. Va., where he died June 13, 1827 and she married John Griffin Sept 20, 1829 who died Mch 9, 1830. not al. as she did not for pat on prof of his services, as required by act of pen.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
not sent

Rev. and 1812 Wars Section.
awg
June 17, 1927
Honorable P. H. Drewry House of Representatives
My dear Mr. Drewry:
In response to your letter of the fifteenth instant, I have the honor to advise you that the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau fail to afford any information in regard to any Humphrey Drewry (Drury), nor do the War of 1812 records afford any data in regard to pension having been claimed on account of the services of any Humphrey Drewry (Drury).
You are herewith furnished the histories of the only soldiers, with surname Drewry, found on the Revolutionary War records of this Bureau, who served in the Virginia Troops.
From the papers in the pension claim R. 4314, it appears that Martha (Patsey) Griffin applied for pension April 7, 1856, while residing in Southampton County, Virginia, aged sixty-four years, and alleged that her first husband, John Drewry enlisted in Southampton County, Virginia, and served four tours of six
closed

served in the Virginia Troops.
From the papers in the pension claim R. 4314, it appears that Martha (Patsey) Griffin applied for pension April 7, 1856, while residing in Southampton County, Virginia, aged sixty-four years, and alleged that her first husband, John Drewry enlisted in Southampton County, Virginia, and served four tours of six
2-
weeks each as a private under Captains Rogers and Herring, Colonels Russell and Kello in the Virginia Militia, and that she served in Captain James Johnson's Virginia Company, was in the battles of Petersburg, Sandy Point, and Yorktown.
Her claim was not allowed, as she failed to furnish satisfactory proof of his service, as required by the pension laws.
It also appears in said claim that John Drewry married Martha (Patsey) Mangum, February 3, 1826 in Southampton County, Virginia. He died there June 13, 1837 and she married September 30, 1839, John Griffin, who died March 9, 1830. no date on file
as to children
This letter in Richard Drewry R 3085